Tinubu’s Northern Appointees Must Take Renewed Hope Message to Grassroots, Waiya Says
Ambassador Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, a co-convener of the Nigeria Forward Project, has urged political appointees from Northern Nigeria serving under President Bola Tinubu to intensify grassroots engagement and explain the administration’s achievements to citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Waiya said ministers, special advisers, heads of federal agencies and other appointees should take the government’s Renewed Hope message beyond Abuja and engage directly with communities, particularly those whose experiences and expectations will shape the next general election.
He made the call in a statement sent to journalists on Friday, arguing that public officials must demonstrate how government policies and reforms are affecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“There are moments in the life of a nation when those entrusted with public responsibility must rise, speak with conviction and give citizens reasons to believe that tomorrow can be better than today,” he said.
Waiya noted that some heads of federal agencies had already begun mobilising support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, describing themselves as “foot soldiers of the Renewed Hope Agenda”.
He also cited the recent mobilisation campaign led by Senator George Akume, who reportedly brought together political leaders from the North-Central region to rally support for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of 2027.
The Nigeria Forward Project co-convener said communicating the administration’s achievements should go beyond routine political mobilisation and provide Nigerians with a clear understanding of what the Renewed Hope Agenda has delivered.
According to him, Northern appointees have an important role to play in presenting the administration’s record, highlighting measurable results and explaining how its policies are intended to create economic opportunities, strengthen public institutions, improve infrastructure and reposition the economy.
He urged the appointees to take the message to markets, farms, businesses, universities and rural communities, stressing that direct engagement would give citizens the opportunity to understand government policies and assess their impact.
Waiya said the concerns and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians should remain central to any campaign for a second term, warning that voters would ultimately make their decisions based on their experiences and understanding of the administration’s performance.
“The 2027 elections will ultimately belong to Nigerians. They will judge the administration by what they have seen, experienced and understood,” he said.
He added that appointees should not simply call for continuity but explain the reasons for it, support their arguments with evidence and communicate the administration’s future plans convincingly.
Waiya maintained that the period leading to the 2027 elections presented an opportunity for government officials to bridge the gap between the administration and citizens through sustained communication and community engagement.
“This is the time to take the Renewed Hope message, its achievements and vision to the people and convince Nigerians that the journey deserves another mandate,” he said.
“Renewed Hope must not remain a government slogan. It must become a story Nigerians can see and feel,” he added.
